The Macclesfield Canal is a scenic 26-mile waterway in the northwest of England, connecting rural Cheshire to the edge of the Peak District. Opened in 1831, the canal was designed by the renowned engineer Thomas Telford, who brought his characteristic clean lines and sharp angles to its construction. It was built to transport goods—primarily coal and silk—between Manchester and the Midlands during the height of the Industrial Revolution. Today, it is prized for its beauty and tranquility, offering a blend of industrial heritage and natural landscapes.
Canal Route and Connections
The Macclesfield Canal runs from Marple Junction, where it connects to the Peak Forest Canal, down to Hall Green Stop Lock, where it joins the Trent and Mersey Canal. This gives boaters easy access to a much wider network, including the Trent and Mersey’s link to the River Trent, which in turn leads to the North Sea. The canal is also part of the Cheshire Ring, a popular cruising route that loops through six canals and provides a diverse range of landscapes and historic sights.
Locks and Features
The canal is known for its relatively gentle gradient, with just 12 locks in total, all clustered at Bosley. The Bosley Flight of Locks is a particularly interesting feature, dropping the canal by 118 feet over a mile and providing a dramatic contrast to the otherwise serene and level stretches of the canal. These locks are some of the most picturesque on the British canal system, offering views of the surrounding hills and valleys as boats descend or ascend.
The canal also passes over two notable aqueducts, the Bollington Aqueduct and the Hursfield Aqueduct, both of which showcase Telford’s engineering prowess. These structures carry the canal over roads and rivers, giving boaters elevated views of the landscape.
Historical and Architectural Highlights
One of the most fascinating features along the Macclesfield Canal is the town of Bollington, often referred to as “Happy Valley,” which retains its Victorian charm. The towering Clarence Mill, a former silk mill, still dominates the skyline, recalling the canal’s role in supporting the silk industry in this region.
Another point of interest is the Macclesfield Canal Wharf, located near the town of Macclesfield itself, which was once a hive of activity for loading and unloading goods. Today, it offers a peaceful place to moor, with access to the town’s historic center and the Silk Museum, which delves into Macclesfield’s rich textile history.
The canal is also characterized by its distinctive stone mileposts, many of which still stand, providing a nostalgic reminder of the canal’s working past. Each post marks the distance to Marple and Hall Green, a quirky and functional piece of heritage.
Natural Beauty
As the canal meanders through the countryside, it offers stunning views of the Peak District, especially in its southern stretches. Lined with trees and edged by wildlife-rich waters, the canal is a haven for birdwatchers, with kingfishers, herons, and ducks commonly spotted along the banks. The towpath is popular with walkers and cyclists, providing a peaceful retreat from the nearby towns.
The Macclesfield Canal, with its blend of industrial history and rural beauty, is a unique part of England’s waterways, offering a peaceful, scenic journey that echoes the region’s rich past. Whether navigating the Bosley Locks, admiring Telford’s aqueducts, or enjoying the stunning vistas, this canal has something to offer for both history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Canal Specification
| Max Boat Length | 70ft |
| Max Boat Width | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) |
| Number of Locks | 13 |
| Length | 26.1 miles (42.0 km) |
YouTube Videos
- Minimal List – 352 – Peace and Tranquility Narrowboating on the Macclesfield Canal
- Minimal List – 353 – Trouble at the Tunnel
- CruisingTheCut – 196. Narrowboat journey onto the Macclesfield canal from the end of the Caldon.
- Narrowboat Journeys – Boating through Macclesfield – A narrowboat Journey on the Macclesfield canal.
If you are looking for a canal/river route planner, we recommend Canal Plan, we use it to plan our routes, and then once we have a plan our maps are useful to find what else there is on the way